Thursday, September 24, 2026 / Lane County / central Oregon coast / southern Willamette Valley
Rain arrives tonight; Friday morning brings the wind
The coast gets wet first, the southern Willamette Valley follows tonight, and the strongest wind window runs from roughly 3 a.m. to noon Friday.
Thursday starts calm. It does not stay that way. The National Weather Service expects rain to reach the central Oregon coast late this afternoon, then spread into the Willamette Valley tonight. For inland Lane County, the likely arrival is toward the late end of the valley's 6-11 p.m. window.
Friday morning is the sharper concern. The Portland forecast office puts the strongest wind period between 3 a.m. and noon, with a 70-90% chance of maximum gusts reaching at least 30-40 mph across the region. The odds of topping 40 mph are lower in most inland valleys, but stronger showers can make gusts more erratic. With leaves still on the trees, the forecast says isolated tree damage and power outages are likely somewhere in the coverage area.
The valley's most likely 36-hour rain total is 0.35-0.55 inches, while the coast and Cascades may collect 0.6-1.2 inches. Impactful flooding is not expected. Offshore, the central coast is under a Gale Warning tonight into Friday, and seas are expected to build to roughly 14-17 feet Friday morning. Dry, quieter weather returns Friday night and holds through the weekend.
Field notes
What changed: A strengthening low is now forecast to bring late-Thursday rain, gusty Friday morning wind and hazardous central-coast seas.
Why it matters: Wind on leafed-out trees can produce isolated damage or outages even without a land warning, and the coast faces gale conditions overnight.
Who may be affected: Lane County residents, Friday morning travelers, utility customers, coastal visitors and mariners.